The Bundesliga leaders announced last week that Guardiola has signed a three-year deal with Bayern and will take Jupp Heynckes' place at the end of this season.

"Guardiola's appointment was not a surprise for me as Bayern always go for the best coaches out there. And Pep follows the Van Gaal-philosophy. I think it's a fantastic choice," the Netherlands boss told NOS.

"I'm the one who first employed the formation Bayern Munich are using these days during my time at the club. [Jupp] Heynckes then continued on the same path and Pep is the right man to succeed him. Pep thinks just like Jupp and I.

"Guardiola is a really intelligent guy. He might struggle a bit with the German language, but they all understand English as well."